Five EU countries call for tougher trade weapons to tackle China

(Giorgio Leali – Politico) A France-led group of five EU countries is calling on Brussels to make a broader use of tariffs and other defensive measures to take on China and other countries’ abusive trade practices. In a joint non-paper seen by POLITCO, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Lithuania urged the EU to launch probes into unfair trade practices more frequently. The document, which was shared with the European Commission and other member countries on Friday, also proposed the creation of new, more defensive trade tools. The non-paper was issued at a moment when the European Commission is working on a “more assertive and effective trade defense policy” to deal with Beijing. Brussels is due to hold an internal strategy debate on the competitive threat posed by China next Friday. – Five EU countries call for tougher trade weapons to tackle China – POLITICO